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KANSAN.COM/SPORTS | MONDAY, APRIL 18,2016
SISTER SISTER
How the McGinley duo's time apart brought them closer together
Alex Robinson/KANSAN Shannon (left) and Erin (right) McGinley.
NICK COUZIN
@NCouz
The Kansas outfield at Arrocha Ballpark consists of three numbers: 7, 77 and 11.
The seven is Shannon McGinley in right field. The 77 is Briana Evans in center field. The 11 is Erin McGinley in left field.
Before every game, they meet in the outfield and say 7-11-2 twice.
For fans of Beyonce, which applies to these three, "7/11" is one of the hit songs off her last album, "Beyonc."
"This is our jam,"Erin said.
This might seem like just a pregame routine for the McGinley sisters, but it is just one of many moments they've had playing softball and in life together.
"They're just great people and fun to be around in the outfield and off the field," Evans said of the sisters.
Shannon and Erin grew up in Prairie Village in a very competitive household.
"It was always sports, sports, sports," Shannon said.
Shannon and Erin played multiple sports as kids from tennis, to basketball, to soccer, and lastly softball.
What made them choose softball?
Their dad played baseball at Baker University, so he led them down the path to play the game they love.
They played together for two years in high school at Shawnee Mission East High School in both softball and basketball.
It wasn't always all fun and games for the sisters, who are two years apart. Shannon originally attended Virginia, and at the time of her departure, she and Erin did not get along.
"In high school, our
The 1,005.7 miles between Prairie Village and Charlottesville, Virginia.
So what was it that brought them closer together?
mom told us one day that we would be best friends, and we both thought 'no way,'" Shannon said.
"We're best friends. If it was in high school, it wouldn't work out but moving away it brought us closer together." Shannon said.
Her sister agreed.
"When your sibling goes away it's harder to find someone to talk to because you can tell them everything." Erin said.
After being enrolled at Virginia for a year and a half, Shannon had the opportunity to come back home and play for the Jayhawks. A key factor in that was also Erin being recruited by coach Megan Smith.
"A big part of it was Erin getting the chance to play here, but it was also difficult for me to attend the business school and balance it with softball," Shannon said. "At KU, I was able to balance both and play alongside Erin."
Now, the sisters are roommates. And even though Erin is the younger sister, she says she is the motherly one.
"If she's driving I'm not afraid to tell her how bad she is doing," Erin said. "It might come off as harsh to some people, but we both know it is the respect and love we have for each other."
Until recently, the sister combo led the batting order in the one and two spots. Being positioned so closely, their roles on the team are very similar, which allows them to help each other.
"It gives me more confidence when Shannon goes up to bat and gets a good hit. And if I can bunt her over it's more energy to feed each other when we
move each other around the bases," said Erin.
And that energy has helped the two become productive players, according to their coach.
"[The] great thing about her and her sister is they understand the pitchers
It gives me more confidence when Shannon goes up to bat and gets a good hit.
Erin McGinley left fielder
[and] the game plan, and they don't do too many crazy things at the plate," Smith said.
By sharing similar roles on the field, they also share one common memory. They both agreed that Erin's walk-off against Wisconsin
is their favorite of the season so far.
"It was a proud moment for me because I always tell people she is better than I am, and that was a moment where she showed me how far she has come," Shannon said. "I was on first base and to embrace her once she got to home plate made me proud as her older sister."
But there's one more thing about Kansas they love. Shannon and Erin enjoy playing close to home where their family can come and watch them play often.
"I'm blessed that I get the opportunity for my family to see me play because it's not usual that an athlete has that experience," Erin said.
- Edited by Brendan Dzwierzynski
Yupaporn Kawinpakorn named to Academic All-Big 12 First Team
Christian Hardy/KANSAN
Golfer Yunaborn Kawinnakorn has won five individual titles this season.
For golfer Yupaporn "Mook" Kawinpakorn, her senior season has been a special one. On Thursday, Kawinpakorn was named to the Academic All-Big 12 First Team for the third time in her Kansas career, according to a KU Athletics release.
► DYLAN SHERWOOD
@dsherwoodku
participate in at least 60 percent of the team's schedule. For being on the first team, as Kawinpakorn was, an athlete must have a 3.20 GPA or higher.
Kansas coach Erin O'Neil has coached 42 academic selections since arriving in Lawrence 12 years ago. Since the Big 12 became a conference in 1996-97, Kansas has had 65 selections total.
Next up for Kawinpakorn and the women's golf team is the Big 12 Championship in San Antonio, Texas, April 22-24.
To qualify for an Academic All-Big 12 team, an athlete must maintain a 3.0 GPA or higher in two consecutive semesters and also
-Edited by G.J. Melia
The announcement marked the second honor Ellis was tabbed with this week, as he was also named Mr. Jayhawk at the Kansas Men's Basketball 2015-16 Awards Banquet on Wednesday. Coincidentally, Ellis is also a two-time winner of the Mr. Jayhawk award.
On Thursday, senior forward Perry Ellis was named Big 12 Men's Basketball Scholar Athlete of the year, the league announced. The coaches tabbed Ellis with the honor for the second straight year, making him the second two-time winner of the fairly new award, which was established in the 2012-13 season.
Coaches name Perry Ellis two-time Big 12 Scholar Athlete of the Year
According to a Big 12 release, Ellis holds a 3.26 GPA.
Former Iowa State forward Melvin Ejim is the only other athlete to have won the award.
On the court, he was a consensus Second Team All-American and led Kansas in scoring for the second straight year. He finished his career ranked in the top 15 in
SCOTT CHASEN
@SChasenKU
points, rebounds and double-doubles for all Kansas players.
Ellis was named to the Academic All-Big 12 First Team earlier this year, marking the third time he was tabbed as an Academic All-Big 12 honoree. He's also been a member of the All-Big 12 First Team for two consecutive seasons and has averaged at least 13 points per game in three of his four seasons at the University.
Missy Minear/KANSAN Senior Perry Ellis talks with the ESPN College Gameday analyses on Jan. 30.